2- "10 or 11 new licenses issued in the past year." How many more to come?

AND WHAT IS THIS  NEWS AND GOVERNMENT INTEREST ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH LAKE AINSLIE..., CAPE BRETON.. so they have blue green algae and it's threatening the Margaree River!   What are we down here in Southwestern Nova Scotia.. chopped liver!!

The Department of Environment is investigating a suspected algae bloom in Lake Ainslie, Inverness Co. Toxins produced by some algae can affect health. People should not drink the water or use it to prepare or cook food, or to brush teeth.

Boiling the water will not eliminate potential toxins.
Water samples are being tested now to determine if the suspected algae is a type that emits toxins.
Department inspectors have notified businesses that serve the public to not use lake water.

Ingesting water containing toxins from algae can cause stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

Swimming, bathing, showering with the water is not advised. Pets and livestock should not be permitted to swim in, or drink, the water.

Direct contact with toxins from algae can cause skin and eye irritation. The health risk is fairly low, but if symptoms persist after a few days, you should consult a physician.

People should also avoid consuming the internal organs of fish taken from the lake.

Algae blooms occur naturally in water that is high in nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate. The cause of the suspected bloom is not known at this time.

Tests results on lake water samples are not expected to be complete for two weeks. Surface water is never recommended as a drinking water source unless properly filtered, disinfected and monitored.

For more information, read the fact sheet on the Department of Environment website at
www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/docs/BlueGreenAlgae.pdf call the local department of Environment office at 902-625-0791
Complete Report; http://www.scotiaweb.ca/news/132-health-promotion-and-protection/256-suspected-algae-bloom-in-lake-ainslie

Inverness County under water warning

The N.S. Environment Department is warning people in Inverness County not to drink water from some local lakes and rivers while they investigate reports of an algae bloom.

The department said Wednesday that a bloom in Lake Ainslie may also be in the Southwest Margaree River and the Margaree River, in the same county.

In a release, the department said that toxins produced by some algae can have negative effects on health and warned residents not to drink the water or use it to cook food or brush teeth.

"Boiling the water will not eliminate potential toxins," said Dr. Richard Gould, medical health officer for the region.

He said ingesting water containing toxins can cause stomach aches, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

Gould also cautioned against pets and livestock swimming in or drinking the water.

He said people should also avoid consuming the internal organs of fish taken from the lake or the rivers.

The Environment Department is testing the water to determine if the algae is a type that emits toxins and said results are expected within two weeks.

Source:  http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/09/23/ns-inverness-water-warning.html